Device for reproducing letters, figures, or other characters



April 30, 1940.. c. H. BENEDICT DEVICE FOR REPRODUCING LETTERS, FIGURES,OR OTHER CHARACTERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 llnlvllu vllllll INVENTOR (H/ 71?![I H. Bf/VFD/CT BY v WTORNEY April 30, 1940. c BENED|T I 2.199.277

DEVICE FOR REPRODUCING LETTERS, FIGURES, OR OTHER CHARACTERS I Filed.July 25, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR (7/4511?) /1 EF/VED/CT ATTORNEYApril 30, 1940. c. H. BENEDICT -DEVICE FOR REPRODUCING LETTERS, FIGURES,OR OTHER CHARACTERS Filed July 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 55 INVENTOR VATTORNEY Ill) Patented Apr. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES DEVICE FORREPRODUCING LETTERS, FIGURES, OR OTHER CHARACTERS Charles H. Benedict,Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 25, 1939, Serial No. 286,493

9 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for reproducing letters, figures orother characters.

An object of the invention is to provide a device which will enableanyone to reproduce let ters, figures and characters in any desiredorder or sequence without any special artistic or lettering skill on thepart of the operatonand to permit the form and outline of such lettersor characters to be varied at will as to height and width, eitherseparately or together within the range of the device. With my improveddevice any series of letters or characters may be re produced in variousheights and widths from the same guide characters by simple adjustments.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described in which the guide characters are in fixed position,so that any selected character may be reproduced at any time or in anysequence without moving or positioning the guide characters, therebypermitting the character selected to be reproduced rapidly andaccurately.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of thecharacter described, having means for varying the width of thereproduced letters independently of the height of the letters orcharacters, so that any line of characters may be longer or shorter, asdesired, by a simple adjustment, whereby lines of characters may belengthened or shortened to fill any desired space within theirlimitations and producing a neat and artistic effect.

In accordance with the invention, the guide characters are grooved in aplate or panel mounted on the device, the guide character plates beingreadily removable and interchangeable, whereby different series ofcharacters maybe used without any other adjustment than chang-- tures ofconstruction, combinations of elements,

and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructionhereinafter described, and of which .the scope of application will beindicated in the following claims,

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one of the variouspossible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a device for reproducing letters, figuresor characters, embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device with parts in cross-section;

Fig, 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5 -5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the character plate and the transparentpanel formed with openings to receive a pointed element projecting intothe groove characters of the character plate;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. ,9 is a partial, top plan view similar to Fig. '7, and showing thepointer in one position;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, but showing the pointer in anotherposition; and

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view. taken on line ll'-Il'of Fig. 10.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, l0 designates a table or baseon which is placed a sheet ll on which letters or characters are to bereproduced. The reproduction is performed by means of a device l2embodying the invention and placed on the sheet ll.

The device [2 comprises a fiat, horizontal base plate ll of generallyrectangular shape having a pair of downwardly extending curved projec-"tions l5 adjacent its lower edge l6, contacting the sheet H tospace thebase plate from said sheet.

The base plate I4 is furthermore formed adjacent the upper edgell-thereof with a plurality of spaced, upstanding, screw threaded bosses[8, formed with central through openings l9. Screwed to the bosses l8are caps 20 each formed with a central opening 2|. Extending througheach opening 2| is a stem 22 of a plunger 23.

Theupper end of the stem 22 is paper I I compress the spring 25 to bringthe upper edge of the base plate closer to the sheet II.

On the upper surface of the base plate is a longitudinal dove-tailedupwardly extending guide 30, parallel to the edge I6 of said base plate.The upper surface of the base plate is formed with a rectangulardepression 300; located between the guide 38 and the edge 17 of the baseplate, and adjacent a side edge ila of said base plate.

Slidably mounted on the guide 38 is an L- shaped member 3|, having aportion 32 forming with a dove-tailed groove 33 to receive the guide 3%.Extending from the portion 32 of member 3! is an arm 36 perpendicular tothe edge N5 of the base plate and spaced somewhat above the uppersurface of the base plate.

slidably mounted on the arm 36 is a sleeve 38 formed with a longitudinalfiange 39. Screwed to the flange 39, as by screws 40, is a transparentplate 42, adapted to cover the depression 3lla in the base plate. Theplate 42 is formed with a plurality of tapered through openings 43 forthe purpose hereinafter appearing.

Mounted within the depression 30a of the base plate, is a characterplate 45 formed in its upper surface with a plurality of grooved lettersor characters lS. There is preferably one opening it above eachcharacter 48 in the base plate.

Attached to the outer end of arm 36 is a stop member 36a, to limitsliding movement of member 33 in one direction.

slidably mounted on the guide 30 is a memher 555, having a portion 5!formed with a dovetailed groove to receive said guide. Extending fromthe portion 5| of member 50 is an arm 53,

parallel to the arm 36 of member 3|, and likewise somewhat spaced abovethe base plate. slidably mounted on the arm 53 is a member 55 having asleeve portion 5% receiving said arm. Fixed to the outer end of arm 53is a stop 53a, to limit sliding movement of member 55 in one direction.

Extending from sleeve 58 are a pair of parallel brackets 58 supporting aguide rod 59, parallel to said sleeve. Extending upwardly from thesleeve 56 are a pair of brackets 60 supporting a transverse pin 5i.Pivotally mounted on the pin 6! is an arm 62 having an inclined sleeve63 at its outer end to receive a lettering pen 64. The pen 66 projectsdownwardly towards the sheet of The arm 52 is formed with a screwthreaded opening S6 to receive a screw 6'! contacting the upper surfaceof the sleeve to limit the I downward movement of said arm about thepivot pin for adjusting the position of the penpoint relative to thesheet of paper H. The arm 62 may be fixed to the pin BI by a set screw69 adapted to contact the pin Bl.

For the purpose hereinafter appearing, the base plate is provided with apivot pin 18 adjacent the upper edge H thereof and the side edge l'lb.Pivoted to the pivot lll is an arm H. On the pivot pin 18 is a torsionspring 10a. tending to move the arm H in. a clockwise direction, lookingat Fig. l of the drawings. Interconnecting the lower end of the arm Hwith member 33, is a link l3. Slidably mounted on arm H is a sleeve l5provided with a set screw "H to fix the sleeve in any adjusted positionon said arm.

Pivoted to the sleeve 16, as at E8, is a sleeve 80. slidably extendingthrough the sleeve 36 is a strip 81 adapted to be fixed to'the sleeve inany desired position by a set screw 83. Attached to the outer end of thestrip 8|, as by crew '85, is a sleeve 86 slidably'receivihg' the guide'r'od 59. A set screw 88 on sleeve 86 serves to fix said sleeve to theguide rod in any desired adjusted position,

Slidably mounted on the link 13 is a sleeve 90, adapted to be fixed tosaid link in any desired adjusted position by a set screw 9|.Interconnecting the sleeve 90 with an ear 92 on member 55 is a link 94.

Theoperation of the device will now be described: 1

The strip 8| may be adjusted on arm H and guide rod 59. The member 5|may be slidably moved toward or away from the pivot 16, first looseningthe set screws 'l'l' and 88, and then tightening the same.

To reproduce any of the letters or characters 46, there is insertedthrough any suitable opening 43 in the transparent plate 42, a pointedinstrument H35]. The point of the instrument projects into the selectedcharacter. The instrument is then moved to trace the grooved character46, while the base plate is pressed downwardly to compress the spring 25for bringing the point of the pen against the paper i I. As the tooltraces the character or letter 45, member 31 will slide on the guide 30and member 38 will slide on the arm 38. This motion is transmittedthrough the links 73 and 95, the arm ll and strip 8!, to the pen whichreproduces the letter on sheet ll.

The character plate 45 may be readily replaced. 1

Movement of member at further from the pivot 78 increases the horizontalmovement of the penpoint, thereby increasing the Width of the charactertraced. Moving of the link 9 further from the left end of the link 73,increases the height of the characters traced by the pen, relative tothe height of the guide characters at of the character plate.

It will now be understood that the instrument iflii may be moved fromone opening 43 to another for tracing different characters selectedwithout positioning or moving the guide characters from usual fixedposition on the base plate.

It will also now be understood that a great number of variations inheight and width on individual characters may be readily made from asingle set of guide characters.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved, and which is welladapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A device of the character described comprising a baseplate, alongitudinal guide fixed therearm, a pen mounted on said third member, a

member pivoted to said base plate and connected slidably said meansbeing connected by a link to said arm and to the first link.

by a link to the first member, a sleeve slidably mounted on the pivotedmember, means to connect said sleeve with the third member, a sleeveslidably mounted on said link, and a second link interconnecting thelast sleeve with the third member.

2. A device of the character described comprising a base plate, alongitudinal guide fixed thereon, a character plate mounted on saidbaseplate and having grooved letters or characters in the upper surfacethereof, a member slidably mounted on said guide and having an armextending at right angles to said guide, a panel formed with a pluralityof perforations slidably mounted on said arm, a second member slidablymounted on said guide and having an arm extending at right angles tosaid guide, a third member slidably mounted on the last mentioned arm, apen mounted on said third member, a member pivoted to said base plateand connected by a link to the first member, a sleeve slidably mountedon the pivoted member, means to connect said sleeve with the thirdmember, a sleeve slidably mounted on said link, and a second linkinterconnecting the last sleeve With the third member, said panel beingtransparent.

3. A device of the character described comprising a base plate, alongitudinal guide fixed thereon, a character plate mounted on said baseplate and having grooved letters or characters in the upper surfacethereof, a member slidably mounted on said guide and having an armextending at right angles to said guide, a panel formed with a pluralityof perforations slidably mounted on said arm, a second member slidablymounted on said guide and having an arm extending at right angles tosaid guide, a third member slidably mounted on the last mentioned arm, apen mounted on said third member, a

member pivoted to said base plate and connected by a link to the firstmember, a sleeve slidably mounted on the pivoted member, means toconnect said sleeve with the third member, a sleeve slidably mounted onsaid link, a second link interconnecting the last sleeve withthe thirdmember, said panel being transparent, and a plurality of spring pressedplungers on said base plate projecting below said base plate.

t. Apparatus for reproducing letters comprising a base, a plate mountedthereon and formed with a plurality of grooved letters in its upperface, a fixed guide on said base, a member slidably mounted on saidguide, a transparent panel slidably mounted on said member, areproducing pen linked to said member, said panel being formed with aplurality of perforations, and a plurality of spring pressed members tosupport said base.

5. A device for reproducing characters comprising a base, a platemounted thereon and formed with a plurality of grooved characters, afixed guide on said base, a member slidably mounted on said guide, apanel slidably mounted on said member and formed with perforations andoverlying the character plate, a second membed slidably mounted on saidguide, means to support a reproducing pen slidably mounted on the secondmember, an arm pivoted at one end to the base and connected by a link tothe panel,

6. A device for reproducing characters comprising a base, a fixed guideon said base, a member slidably mounted on said guide, a panel formedwith spaced perforations slidably mounted on said member, a secondmember slidably mounted on said guide, a sleeve slidably mounted on saidsecond member and formed with a longitudinal rod, means pivoted to saidsleeve and supporting a reproducing pen, an arm pivoted at one end tothe base, a link interconnectin the other end of said arm with saidpanel, a sleeve slidably mounted on said arm, a sleeve pivoted to thelast mentioned sleeve, a strip extending through said pivoted sleeve, asleeve on said strip slidably receiving said rod, a sleeve slidablymounted on said link, and a second link interconnecting the last sleevewith the first sleeve.

7. A device of the character described comprising a base plate, acharacter plate mounted on said base plate, a member slidably mounted onsaid base plate, a panel formed with a plurality of perforations,slidably mounted on said member, a second member slidably mounted onsaid base plate, a third member slidably mounted on said second member,a pen mounted on said third member, a member pivoted to said base plate,and connected by a link to said first member, a sleeve slidably mountedon the pivoted member, means to connect said sleeve with thethirdmember, a sleeve slidably mounted on said link, and a second linkinterconnecting the last sleeve with the third member.

8. A device of the character described comprising a base plate, acharacterplate mounted on said base plate, a member slidably mounted onsaid base plate, a panel formed with a plurality of perforations,slidably mounted on said member, a second member slidably mounted onsaid base plate, a third member slidably mounted on said second member,a pen mounted on said third member, a member pivoted to said base plate,and connected by a link to said first member, a sleeve slidably mountedon the pivoted member, means to connect said sleeve With the thirdmember, a sleeve slidably mounted on said link, and a second linkinterconnecting the last sleeve with the third member, said panel beingtransparent. i

9. A device of the character described comprising a base plate, acharacter plate mounted on said base plate, a member slidably mounted onsaid base plate, a panel formed with a plurality of perforations,slidably mounted on said member, a second member slidably mounted onsaid base plate, a third member slidably mounted on said second member,a pen mounted on said third member, a member pivoted to said base plate,and connected by a link to said first member, a sleeve slidably mountedon the pivoted member, means to connect said sleeve with the thirdmember, a sleeve slidably mounted on said link, a second linkinterconnecting the last sleeve with the third member, and a pluralityof spring pressed plungers on said base plate, projecting below thelatter.

- CHARLES H. BENEDICT.

